Two South Carolina Public Hunting Areas Improved

Seven new water-control structures were among the improvements made on Bonneau Ferry Wildlife Management Area. DU's work here and on Palachu

Ducks Unlimited and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently enhanced 387 acres of moist-soil and semi-permanent wetland habitat on Bonneau Ferry Wildlife Management Area (WMA) north of Charleston. Through the installation of seven water-control structures and repair of old embankments and existing canals, this public hunting area will provide improved habitat for waterfowl and hunting opportunities for waterfowlers.

Ducks Unlimited also completed a project on Palachucola WMA to restore hydrology and enhance waterfowl habitat on freshwater oxbows and inland rice fields. This 6,757-acre WMA is one of three properties (along with Webb Wildlife Center and Hamilton Ridge WMA) managed by South Carolina DNR staff as part of a 26,000-acre wildlife habitat complex along the Savannah River.

The South Carolina DNR requested assistance from Ducks Unlimited to convert the Palachucola project site from its current use for pine-timber production back to historical wetland habitat. Ducks Unlimited planted native bottomland hardwood species and restored habitat management capabilities through the installation of several water-control structures and other wetland infrastructure.